Evening Express

I A SIGHT! A FRIGHT A FLIGHT I I THE WOULD-BE "HUNTER" HUNTED. I I Cardiff City was going strong. They got what Bristol League left behind (goals), I Ja6t Saturday. followed precedent. Jiy not seeking re- nomination. Mr. Tom D. Jones (Aber- dare) was the unaiiirnous clic-i-ce of the meeting as his successor—an honour doubly earned, both by seniority and knowledge of football legislation. Com- petition for seats on the council is now getting a very keen matter, and when the secrets of the ballot were revealed I there were a few changes. The new legislators are Messrs. W. T. Jones (Merthyr), Mewton (Mardy), Walters (Barry), W. C. Jones (Aberdare), Oockcroft (Newport), and Thomas (Cwm- parc). Probably Messrs. E. Jones and Prosser (who retired), Davies, Gunter, and Shaw are only having a rest, for the work is very fascinating, even if it is a big drain on one's time. The secretary tells me that the rule books will be out immediately. As with the laws of the game, the domestic rules of the Association are very much what they were last year. But that does not mean that the book is to be put away, and only opened when some dispute happens. A big percentage of club disputes can be directly traced to ignorance of the Association rules. Rules which the clubs themselves have made. They are not the committee's rules. The committee is ?'mply the small body to see into thesB things and to settle disputes. To be the mouthpiece, If I may term it, of the 150 clubs. Certain things shall not be I done. There's no excuse. Penny Does the Trick "An Iiite-nding Riioidda V,sit-or inquires as to the whereabouts of Ninian Park, and how to get there. If I were I a cabdriver I might have justifiable objections to give the information. The ground lies between Canton and Grange- town, on the "country" side of the rail- way lines. The nearest station is Gr,angeto-.i-n (T.V.R.). By road from the I St. Mary-street district there are several ways. From the Monument, via Pen- art-h-road. by tramcar to Grangetown Station..From St. Mary-street and I Castle-street by Canton tramcar to Llandaff-orud. Walk the remaining little bit. On foot from the Castle, via Cowbridge-road and Wellington street. An old plodder like myself cuti manage this one from the Ca&tle to the ground in a quarter of an hour. Then there are more direct routes, via Wood-Street and .Tudor-road. But it all depends upon the starting-place. From ST. Mary-street and "I-nteiidi,ii., Visitor" may set off from either end or from Wood-street. But if in any doubt watch the tramcars. One penny does it. It. hardly seems decent to be talking of cup-ties thus early, but there is no help for it. The number of competinsr clubs has to be brought down to two by Easter, and witih heavy ifxture lists the early OTart is imperative. The prelim- inary rounds of the local Junior Cup are not far off, and ties for the "En-g-Esh Cup are here, I see, already. He hns to be smart nowadays who wi-hes to keep in touch with all the matches of his club. W hei. his season ticket is available, and when he must use an old tram ticket of the right colour. Yes. old tra.m tickets are useful for football matches, in a crush, so 'tis said.

"WE'RE TOO JOLLY HONEST. WELSHMEN^ FAULTS! THE CROSS-BAR MIRACLE) And a Rich French Joke! By PERCY BUSH. I I I was no end pleased to read Gwyn Nicholls's forecast of the season in last Saturday's Evening Express, principally because he said; also. that the season was too long. 1 had penned the same opinion, but. of course, it don't matter. When the "Prmce." however, asserts that the season is too long, and, more- over, gives his arguments to prove it, then. I think, we can take it that the season is too long. Now. then, Welsh Union, wake up and cut the month of September cut, and the last three weeks of April, too. This can be easily done, and it is not nearly so unreasonable a demand as most that you have been called upon to perform of late times. i Half a Goal So the Referees' Examination has started ? I ii-oiider if the Best Referee J in Wales'' came out with any cf his SI)e,c' a-is ? Intending candidates, t please note. Be wary of T. D. S." when he begins asking you questions. One of his most grey-headed friends is this Supposing a player tried to drop a goal, and the baH fell en the "bnr and | stayed there. What would you can I that?" DonI say A th.U-t, '? Dcii c,; iv i otherwise—miracle!" but observe that "half a goal is better than none." and that you would award two for the j I feat, particularly as a drop goa! is worth more than four points. And other such queries will the great little owner of; Bridgend put to you, but don't get ruffled, for they're all good questions j really. By the way, if I might make bold a-s to offer the opinion, it would be quite a good idea to ask the candidates i some such questions as t hese "Can you control a game without } bothering about the spectators' I opinions ? Have you the gtraptaca to send off a home player without afterwards ex- pelling a visitor, so as to sort of balance things up ? In previous refereeing. have you ever found that you didn't see it because I was following the ball,' when a homester nearly kills a visitor after the latter has parted with the ball ? These are ju-st. samples which occur on the spur of the moment. It seems, I am afraid, that I am making a nasty cha.rge against Referees as a whole. Far from it The life of a Ref. is far from being all champagne and oysters, ana we have certainly got some excellent ones (Refs., I mean, not oysts.): but, at the eame time, some of those I have met are, like the curate's egg, only good in par-. (Again referring to Refs., not oysts.) Kind-hearted Refs. And two or three really strong referees would soon put down the remainder of the rough play which exists in Wales. As Forward," with his usual aptness, remarked last Saturday, Welsh football was brought into contemptuous derision during the hearing of the recent New- port-Llaneliv action. Mind. Im not saying that the fiasco was the fault of the referee. I don't believe it was. as regards his competency but. from what I was told by an on-looker. I beheve it would have had a salutary effect if one or more men had been ordered off early in the game. But some of cur referees are too kind-hearted; that's just about the word. They don't like to send men off. That's why I used the word "strong" just now. And while on this point, I wonder if I might be allowed to say what I think .about LlaneHy football. I have played don-n at Llanelly more times than most Cardiff players, for I used to play down at Stradey for Peny- graig before I played for Cardiff. I have a!ways enjoyed playing down down there, with one single exception, and that was when "Rusty" Gabe was skipper of Cardiff. That game was certainly rough, but on every other occasion I hav.5 noticed nothing at all that anyone could cavil at in the general play. Of course, you come across a man now and agam who does not "play quite fair," but. there, you find him in every team. I like to epeak of things as I find t-nem. and, although my opinions may not find universal favour, I say that, with the one exception mentioned, Llaoelly have, as far as 1 know. always played a. clean, sporting, bustling game. It is to be hoped t,hat There will be no scenes this season like this match was alleged to have been, and like our extra- special one at Newport last- season. Personally. I didn't. see much wrong with this latter game. It is true that a. man on each side received Marching orders, but I am quite oonvinoed-as I was at the time—that, the man who was sent off for chasing me didn't, intend any violence, but simply couldn't stop him- I self because he was going so fast. I could see the look in his eyes as he came towards me. and there wa^ nothing in them that suggested ishat he was after my scalp. The Cardiff man who waa "deported" was the victim of circum- | stances. The game was all right. Ferocious Frenchman The fact of the matter is that we are too jolly honest in Wales. "Whenever there is a bit of rough play we notice it more than other countries do. Hence our candour causes some folk to think that Welsh footer is somewhat outre, wherea-s experience has taught me that, it compares more than a bit well with that exhibited elsewhere. Over here, in Sunny France, they DO play the game. Of course-, I haven't had a long experience of it yet. but if the samples I have seen are any criterion, then the French have learned football without the shady tactics oftentimes associated with it. One funny mcident occurred in a match I played in over here. One of our opponents got the ball, and had a clear run in. but one of our own side was too fast for him, cut across field, and threw him into touch. Natu- rally. Number 1 was a bit upset, net to say annoyed. He deliberately hoofed up a piece of turf --a large piece, nearly as big as a stone, in fact-a.,nd hurled it at Number 2. The latter ducked, and 60 gave it a miss," and the referee came up and sent them both off, the one for throwing the turf about and the other for ducking. It was jolly droll. aoid made me laugh as much as an Archbishop in a ballet-dress would. In some places I wot of they would have thrown "clinkers," or bricks. That' s the cliff.

THE MEET." '• £ WELSH CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FOX-. IR'M! THEY'LT, SIDO'-NT BE AFTER ME AGAIN! 11

WELSHMEN UPNORTH ————.&-——— MYSTERY OF DAI FURNISH I WANTED SCORING THREE-QUARTERS! I By OUR N.U. CORRESPONDENT. DAI JOHN, as he is familiarly called will -be known by Welsh football followers as the old Penygraig half-back. Coming to the Salford club in his teens, he has rendefred the Reds valuable service, ami is deservedly popular with the club's supporters. Last season he played many a brilliant game at full-back, and it was only his lack of inohes that prevented him joining the Colonial touring side. John's 'P1()Ï<t.ion'l however, is half-back, and he is in that position amongst the best in Northern Union footbaJL Standing 5ft. Mn in height and weighing list., John is very sturdily built, and, in consequence, needs a lot of stopping when in possession of .the ball. As a rlefend-er, he cannot be beaten. His tackling is great, and he rarely fails to pull down heavy opponents. His relegation to the position of half-back this season has caused great satisfaction in Salford. RTHYR gave a good exhibition in their match against Sadsford at Weasite la@t Saturday. The score of 34 points to two does not at all i retpreserot the run cf the pLay, as the heavy score was mainly due t-o Dai Thomas's great aocring power. In Griffiths, at fuU-bacik, the Merthyr dub have a very prom wing placer, and he surprised the Sal- ford spectators by his splendid kicking-, while the way he tackled Dai Thomas on cne occa- sion evirprised even the rpc-cdy winder, who rarely fails to beat opposing fall-backs. Harris and Williams, a new capture, were a roost ea-raclo pair of half-ba-cks, who com- bined in true Welsh fashion. The forwards played a fine game, their t?c?ing and loose play being great, and the dismay of ?*iH Bev?n stamps him a? a for- ward considerably above the average. When • Dai Jones, the old Welsh international, and i D. B. Davies returns to the fold, the Merthyr club will be able to boast of a forward side equal to the best. The club are to be con- gratulated on their new players, and the I carrying on of the c-lu-b against tremendous odds reflects great credit to the committee I and the painstaking secretary. Anyway, their display at Salford gave one the impres- sion that they a.re a very capable F-ide, and 1t is to be hoped they will receive better suppart from the Merthyr footbaU puhhc. For I Salford Johns played a very tricky same at I half-l»a-c,k, and made a couple of good open- ings for his three-quarters. W. Thomas, the [ old Swansea and Aberavon player, was in rare fettle at. oen-tre three-quarter, and his dodgy runs were ever dangerous. He is a very heady player, and clais-s can be seen in his eve-rv movement. Dai Thomas was too fast and powerful for his fellow countrymen, who found him very bard to tackle, and his dashing runs were too much for the Mertihyr defenders. Coming to the forwards, Charlie Rees played a good game, and tackled like a Trojan. E. J. Thomas, the old Pill Hajrier forward, lias not yet signed on, and as Dai Rees. the old Penv.^raig forward, is doubtful about leaving Wales, the club are none too weill off as rega.rds scrimmagers. It ig very probable, howe-ver, that the ser- vices of D. B. Davies, the Merthyr forward, will be sOwUred itf the course of a few days. Negotiations are proceeding regarding him, the only difficulty being the amount of trans- fer fee. Wat-tie Davies was m champion form for Batley against KeighJey at Lawkholme-lane last Saturday. Ho was keenly watched, but managed to scramble over with a good try. The old Cardiff three-quarter is truly a great player. Will Davies was not included in the Batley side, and, considering the way the Ba-tley centres played, the Blackwood man will find it hard to get his place again in the team. Hull Kingston Borers sustained a very bad defeat by the Dewnsbury club at Crown Flatts last Saturday. Pill Thomas, for the Rovers, was in very poor form. and is showing unmis- takable signs Qf Anno Doimino. Reg. Jones, at half-back, played a fair game. Blakemore, the Abertiliey forward, who was marking his debut, for the Rovers, did not please the critics, who are'of opinion that he is far too slow to suit the Northern Union game. Rhys Rees, who has been transferred to I Wigan from the Merthyr Uub. -pl-a-y-ed a fine game for Wigan Reserves last Saturday. Rees will soon And his place into the first team when Johnny Thomas and Bert Jenkins returns. Dai Davies showed signs of his best form for Swiniton against Widnes last Saturday. His try was veiry smartly g-, and he was easily tihe best back on the field. J. B Parker. the old Yetrad player, was r-een in the Swinton three-quarter line, and it is evident tha-t Parker has a lot to learn in the Northern Union-gajne- Ebbw Vale did not show their true form in their ma-tch against Huddersfield at Fartown last Saturday. Dai Davies, who has sus- tainro an injury to his ribs while at practice, n I

NEW TREDEGAR'S STALWARTS. 1 PHOTO, A. it. -\iuKo_VN, XETHEDE^AK. TOP ROW: G. Webster and H. Parsons. PHOTO, A.1, .\ivlhdK, Xl! TREDEt;R I BOTTOM ROW: J. Thomas, H. Purdy, and G. Ohatwin.

STOP J BEVAN'S ?))? FOR GUNS. PUNCHING BALLS, f CYCLES, & MOTOR CYCLES. ? i 31? 339 35, CASTLE-ST, CARDIFF.

READY EARLY NEXT WEEK. THE "WESTERN MAIL" FOOTBALL ANNUAL, SEASON 1910-11. Rugby and Soccer Fixtures, Rules and Laws of the Game, AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION. PRICE ONE PENNY. OX SALE AT ALL NEWSAGENTS'.

TRICKS IN TRAINING. I Why Percy Bush Scores Tries FAULTS EASILY REMEDIED I By GWYN NICHOLLS I this period, when < Rugby ites are gathtring together their fighting apparel in preparation for the season to come, a few hints on training and practice by one who has been through the mill will not be out of place. I fear tihat young players, and some players of experience, too, -do not give sufficient, thought to this matter. I mean tbat they do not trouble to discriminate as to wfhen they shouM train and when to practice. And what an important factor it is to all who are anxious to reach the top of the tree. in the first place, to train, in order to get Kt-to remove any superfluous flesh, amd to harden the mueifeles by indulging in the usual jnefthods ,of running, kicking, skipping^: "EaB^pw&dhing, ,<fcc., &e. But in doing this the old adage, "What is 8aUoo fm gander," must not M acregtfefl? "Because *'A" runs so mamy timeE; around the field and "B" is capable of indulging in a certain. number of sprints, it does not fuNow that it is well that "C" should do the same. Each man should train according to his constitution, and do no mior,e than he feels able wiftihout exhaustion. It is the reaction that tells "the tale. If he feels enervated the amount of work should be cut down to a point that afterwards leaves him energetic and fresh. Otherwise, he will rapidly become stale, in which condition. — he is worse than if he had done none at I all. Rehearsals Wise I A player is often led to commit this error before the most important matches, in his anxiety to be at the top of his form, with the result that his play is of the mechanical order—lacking in fire and dash. I have always advocated that m making a special preparation it is far better to do a bit extra a week or two beforehand, and to slacken off the week preceding the game. This allows one to regain the vitality that has been expended in doing the extra work. Avoid overdoing it. A man may be a champion sprinter, but no amount of tra,ining would make him a "miler," unless he were constitutionally fitted for doing the longer distance. I make this simile, as often a man is apt to believe that he is not in form 1 simply because he finds himself unable to do as much as another. Once in proper fbttle, I consider it a mistake to continue to grind. Light pract ice only should then be indulged in. 1 This, together with the w-eekly match, Should be sufficient to maintain one's J form. Rehearse the different move- ments that occur in a game, and, more especially, endeavour to overcome by practice the weaknesses you may have. There are numerous players who have l gone right through their career with a fa,iling that, with perseverance, they should have mastered. "A Decent Pass." I What a number there are who cannot give a decent pass, or are uncertain in taking one. To these I say-if this is your pronounced weakness learn how it should be done, and then do little else in your practice but pass and re-pass until you are adept. Some cannot kick accurately, Ifield the ball with any certadnty, or pick up cleanly, arnd yet are content to continue playing, exhibiting the same old faults, without any attempt at improvement. They cannot be entirely unaware of them. If blind themselves the critics do not often fail to recognise and notify the facts. I have a vivid recollection of passing being a weakness of my own in my early days, and. in consequence, I was inclined to neglect my wing, but I had not played for the Reserves more than a few matches when I was reminded in very forcible language that the ball did not entirely belong to me. I took the "hint," and was not long in effecting an improvement in this respect. Unfortnatiely, most men specialise, and do not endeavour to acquire all- round skill. One's natural abilities, of course, should not be neglected in practice, but they should certainly be subordinate to those that need oulti- oating. Phantom" Tries." How often do we hear of a man admittedly strong in attack, but of weak defence, or deficient in some important phase of the play. This weakness goes against him when honours are dis- tributed, and he "loses his cap" in oonse- quence, when, had he displayed a little thought and method in practice, he could have remedied the fault, and thus have been assured of his 'place. A briJIia'n.t scorer is very useful in a side, and occasionally wins a match off his own bat:; but if this is- his oivly qualiifcation thfen sooner or later he is bound to let his side down. A footballer might, with benefit, take a leaf out of the book of the boxer who adopts shadow fighting as a principal item in his training programme. Why not, when practising on the field, imagine opponents and swerve and double past phantom tacklers. I have watched "the elusive Percy" caper about. by. himself amd score innumerable brilliant tries." It cer- tainly looks rather ridiculous to an uninitiated onlooker, but I confidently recommend "shadow playing" as tihe best of practice.

Bristol's Bombshell I NEWCASTLE UNITED SURPRISED I By SOCCERITE. I The opening of the league programmes, as Usual, produced a crop of surprises. One always lbok for striking results in the first Weeks of the season, but not many of us were Prepared for Bristol City's defeat of tbe Novo- castriane. Wedlock and this men will feel encouraged to follow this up by beating the "Spurs" to-day, and give the impetus to enthusiasm that is badly needed at Asht'on- Tate. Liverpool and Sheffield United, with Newcastle United, were the trio defeated by ^Mating clubs. HUDiDCRSFIELD DEBUT. The sensation of the Second Division was the victory of Haddersfield at Bradford by 1—0. An entirely new organisation, Hu-dders- field gained admission to the league at the first time of asking, and have justified their Inclusion in the Second Division by proving class enough to (beat their neighbours. Their initial victory will give them the crowd that I is ready to leave the sister code when they see the newcomer6 in a winning vein. The j defeat of Bolton by Leicester Fosse (5—0) will have. staggered the Lancastrians, who had hoped to start well on their journey again to the "upper twenty." Unlike Bolton, Chelsea —■who also were relegated from the First Divi- sion—won hands-omely -at Derby (4-1). A similar result is expected against Barnsley I to-day. "CANARIES" START WELL. Five home teams won their matches in the ] Southern League, four were drawn, and only one home te-a-m suffered defeat at the hands of the visiting team. Queen's Park Rangers were out to win at Park Royal, and this they did to the extent of five goals to nil against Coventry Evidently the Londoners mean business this season, and have an eye on the premier position. Norwich City, although losing Allsopp through injuries, secured two | points at Bristol with a team that consists j of the youngest players in the Southern j | League First Division. The East Anglians < may cong mtul,ate themselves on this success, which will help pack the "Nest" at Norwich to-day, when Millwall will prove tlheir second victims. The other marches were an typical of the season's opening, the players having hardly found their form yet. CARDIFF CITY. "Football Express" readers will remember how last season I oersistentlv pleaded the Soccer cause and the prospects of a first- class dub for Cardiff. Events have proved that I was "in the know." and we have now the neucleus of what will prove to be the finest, club in the Prineioalitv- They have made an auspicious start, and by winning at Ton Pentre on Monday have already turned ridicule and sarcasm into respect. "Wait till they meet Tom" was the oessimistic cry I heard in and out of Cardiff. "They'll mt Cardiff City." Well, they HAVE met Ton!. Mardv. Aberdare, and Bath City will all also know that in Cardiff City thev have a com- bination that will not be satisfied with noth- ing less than absolute victory. TWO SPORTSMEN WANTED. The City directorate have done excellent

RUGBY SPORTS—ROATH PARK SCHOOL. -—.—— — Kv EXXJTO EXPRESS PHOTO. 70P RO. W. A. Edwards (100yds.. 810 2nd three-leg'ged H. Williams (100yds, 8—M), T.'WiUiams ;3N'd: VÍ8 ¡ (2nd thr?-tes?d race), and C. Sp?rin? (100yds., 8-10). MIDDLE Cv K. Duncan (3rd 100yds., 8), W. Lewis (4th 100yds., 8), D. Jones (2nd lOOyde., 8), 0. Jonœ (2nd sack MIDDLE EpW:'C H?n (3i(Clds, 10—12). 4y *l?i wis Wy d i. -10-12). ¡., BOTTOM ROW: V. Duncnn (KOyde., 8—10), a,nd T. Majtio (ICOydB.. a?

 ??d ? a forward. Hewellvn. ?r the Ya?an.. made ??,- efforts to re: A A ^liin ttl£ e 2,11we' ight would be very useful to A little more we?ht would be very uaJ to him, as he is easily brought down. The for- wards beat the home pack, and brought off !!DI3.iIl- good Bite of play. For Huddersfield. Edwards, at full-back, showed some improve ment, although he was not ha-rd pressed. Edwards must be seen in a big match ar-ain rt a strong side before his form this season oan be criticised. Gnonow, the Bridgend and Welsh international forward, made a credit- able debut for the home club, and showed distinct promise. Toft. the Swansea player, played a smart half-back game for Hunslet against York at Parkside last Saturday, and his passing to the home three-quarters was verv accurate. For the Minster side, Dan Lewis, the Mer- thyr forward. made his first appearance, and his form left a lot to be desired. Cow- meadow and Smith were very little in evi- dence. and were woefully weak in stopping the Hunslet rushes. Wigan beat Broughton Rangers last Satur- day, but the form of the new Oolonials was very disconcerting to the Cherry and White supporters. The sooner the Welsh players are back in the Central Park team the better, as there are several Northern Union sides oapable of beating Saturday's team by a big margin. The Wigan forwards, with Seeling, John- son, and Williams, had decidedly the worst of the argument with the Broughton six. Howell Francis, their beat forward, has ndt. signed on yet. Francis has no equal in th« Wigan pack, whatever be the club's opinion of the matter, and defeat can only be looked for when the present Wigan side meet a strong Northrn Union club. Dai Mead played in poor form for the Rangers, being offside «Jo much. Coventry, in their first experience of league foot-ball, were beaten on their own ground by Runcorn. Dai Beynon, the old Ebbw Vale and Oldham half-back, has been selected captain of Coventry, and although his play laet, Saturday was far from con- vincing, his experience should do the club a lot of good. Leigh beat Warrinigton in their match at Mather IAuke last Saturday. Dai Da-vies, the Leigh centre, played a fine game on defence, Morgan and Polsom, the Treorchy forwards. were included in the losing side, and played a fairly good game. G. Thomas, the odd Pontnewydd player, undoubtedly was the pick of the visiting side. The Wilderspool club, after having a. dose of the Colonials, are badly in need of a few sooring three* quarters. Francis, the Treherbert half-back, made a capital debut for the Hull club against Hali- fax. He combined a treat with his partner, and was always a thorn in the Halifax defence. Galloway, the Treherbert forward, also made his presence f-dit in the Boulevard pack. By the way, what is the intention of Dai Furnish this season? The Thrum Hall olub went to great expense to secure him last season, and rumour has it that he will not be seen at Thrum Hall again. It is quite oa the ci,rds that Haley, the Pill Harrier full- back, will be oeen at Thrum Hall in the oouree of a few weeks.

work in the short lime at their disposal. Con- siderins: the prej-ndri-oe they had to contend with and the difficulty of giettinsr people to realise that they were out for serious foot- ball. they have done well. and deserve the suooort of every Soccer lover in South Wales. I don't aauvow ma-nv readers of the "Foot- ball Express" would come to the clubs help by taking L500 worth of shares. but if any two gentlemen in Cardiff would do so the ground would be equipped in up-to-date fashion and eau-ai to many of those of Eng- lish clutos. NORWICH DIRECTORS ft-BASEB. The Norwich City director*? nreeent were, d-elil-bted with the fisrht made by Merthyr. and they told me the visit had been an enjoyable one. They were handicapped by Allsopp'« absence, while Ham peon- played throusrh the Irame with damaped ribs BUS- I tained at Bristol the previous Saturday. I hope when Norwich visits Exeter or Swindon they may be prevailed upon to visit Cardiff City, as both teams are about on a par, and a matoh between them would be worth watohins. A CLEVER COMBINATION. Of the niamy clubs I am associated with none anoeal to me more for earnestness and determination to nlay the real game than the Severns A.F.C. Thev are in a food fma?ncial position, and are associated with no leagroew or in any npties, They have an exoellent fixture list, of friendly matches, and if they maintain the form shown in their opening match against Victoria United they will have a record year. Mr. A. W. Evans "fathers" the team Aund the boys hawe in him a leader, who Ihae thedr welfare at heart GARDtirF AMD DISTRICT LEAGUE. The vitality of this leaerue is wonderful! It embraces all that is best in junior Soccer ciroLea in Cardiff and district. Its committee are a bard-worki-nz body, who are taking a lion's ehsre of the pioneering of the Associa- tion code in South Waks. I attended the recent annual moetine. and was struck by the enthusiasm of the large number present- no balanoe-sheet is well on the right side. and the season starts with a record number of 47 cluft in the league. LORD WUHAN'S OOP. The flret round in the Lord Ninian Stuart 000 competition, is fixed for November 2b and the second round December 31. The com- petition is open to ail junior clubs within a 15-mile radius of Cardiff, such abibe to be affiliated to the South Wales and Monmouth- shire Association. Mr. S. H. Harris, 53, Habershon-street. Solott. secretary of the Cardiff and District Leacue. must have all entries before Saturday October 29. I anti- cimto & PT,?,at se for possession of this OŒP. am wooM urge all cLubs to enter, as it is worth holdinsr. All clubs in the first and second divisions of the Cardiff and District Leswroe must send in their affiliation fees to Mr. Bart. 36. Mooriand-road. Cardiff, at once. RiBFERCES' EXAM. I am asked to remind mv readers that the referees' examination will to held in Cardiff in two or three weeks' time. Mr. Hart wilJ. be erlad to receive applications immediately. All secretaries in Divisions I and II. must give Mr. Hart fourteen days' notice to appoint referees for their matches. I have had eeveral requests to insert the league tables in the "Football Erprees" every week. This can only be done with the co-operation of all club secretaries. Thev must let Mr. Harri-? have them by Tuesday morning, latest! OAROIFF WEDNESDAY LEAGUE. I shall deal with the prospects of this league next week. but from what I Usirn this season promises to ecliree last year's record! Additional clubs have entered more cupe are up for competition, and the mid-week Soccer promises to be more interesting than ever, more anon. WELSH CUP DRAW. Treharriis fuiiv deserve their exemption from the preliminary round of the Welsh Cup. In the South Wales division Ovmrarc have a bye. leaving four matches for deci- sion. all of whicjj should be exciting, iferthyr Town have to Iou-rnev to Llaneliy, where they may giet a surprise. The West Wales combination are a smart lot on occasion. and they may make the visit of Merthyr one of their surprise packets. Whatever may have bce-n the result of liardy a Cardiff City ma.tohes ud to the cuo-ties. Mardy are bound to cause the Cardiffians some anxiety on their hillock in the Dhondda Facji, but the citizens should succeed. Ton Pentre look like having a srood time at Aberdare, and will be dangerous in subsequent rounds. I am glad Cardiff Corinthians are to go to Tredegar, as their visit is bound to attract a big rate, and will help further the code in that district. Tredeeur ar- &n unknown ouantity, but I have no fear of the Corin- thians returning in triuuvp-h. SOCCERITE'S FORECASTS I FOR MATCHES PLAYED SATURDAY. I SEPTEMBER, 17. ENGLISH LEAiGTTE—DIVISION I. 8 Aston Villa v. Woolwich Arsenal. Bury v. Blackburn Rovers.* Liverpool v. Notts Foreunt.* •Manchester United v. Manchester City. M id'dleisibroiuigih v. Bristol City. 8Notts Counrtiy v. Everton. Preston North End v. Sheffield AVednesday.* *S<heffi«M United v. Bradford City. •^Sunderland v. Oklih-am Athletic. .Tot.teoo:aan v. Newcastle United. DIVISION II. *Rarnsleiy v. Clapton Orients. Bradford v. West Bromiwieh." Barnley v. Birmingham." •Derby County v. Blackpool. 8Fiulnam v. Hull City. Gainsborough Trinity v. Huddersfield.* •Leeds Oity v. "Lincoln City. Leicester Fosse v. Ohelst-a.* ,Stooruport County v. G-loesop." •WO-liverlhaanipton v. Boliton Wanderers. SOUTHERN LEAGUE. •Queen's Park Rangers v. Millwall. West Ham United v. New Brompton. "Luoton v. Coventry City. Portsmouth v. Southend. •Northampton v. 'Brighton v. Pl.j-imoitfjh. Exeter v. Wat-ford. •Swindon v. Leyton. Bristol Rovers v. Birentford.* Qryafeail Palace T. Ntorwich City. ENGLISH CUP. PRELIMINARY QUALIFYING ROrom. •CARDIFF OITY V. BATH CITY. To be played on the grounds of the first- named club. Asterisk denotes probable winner. Draws left open. I